Ditto Boonie hats. I have one from 20 years ago still going strong. You can usually find them in solid colors like OD or khaki/tan, not just camo patterns.

stylish, effective, packable - choose two out of three. I have used boonie type hats for a longtime - anything from generic cotton cheapos to Outdoor Research models.They work fine for me, and I think they are stylish enough, because I am often setting off into a desert, but my DW disagrees. The model she selected does not work very well for padding a rappel rope,a useful attribute of a boonie.

I don't bother with a specific rain hat in most situations. The cheapo boonies shed enough of the water most of the time. When their capacity is exceeded, it is time for a parka hood. A full size, all around brim is critical - ball caps are useless, unless maybe you are playing center field.

This is a nice looking hat which meets most of your criteria except for being a rain hat (although water won't hurt it).

Packable Fedora

It gets great reviews.

+1 on the Tilley hats, all four seasons.

Spring, summer, & fall is an LTM6. Stiff enough to keep the sun & rain off. Packing it is simple for me: hat goes on head. But seriously if you do have to pack it, put it on the bottom of the suitcase & pack everything on top of it. The hat will flatten & recover with no problem. Durability is superb. Tilley has a lifetime warranty on their unbleached hats if they ever wear out, mildew or shrink. One of the stories that they include with the hat is about one that was eaten by an elephant. The owner recovered it after it came out the other end. He wrote them about it, they offered to replace it & he turned them down.

Winter is a TW2. It won't flatten out as well for packing but I wear it anywhere & everywhere. It's a good weight wool hat & if the weather is really cold, it has an ears/back of head flap and forehead warmer.

Another Tilley hat user.

LTM6 wider brim synthetic with mesh vent at the top in the summer and the wool TW2 Tilley Winter Hat in the winter.

I certainly can't say I've tried any assortment of other hats, but I do like the Tilleys.

I do wash the LTM6 regularly to avoid rotting the sweat band area. I just fill a sink with mildly warm water and a bit of laundry detergent, swish and squeeze a bit, rinse very well, and air dry overnight.

If you like boonie hats, then have a look at the Hazard 4 hats.
Personally I am no fan of the Tilly hats. Don't get me wrong here: they are great hats, well made, stylish and nearly indestructible. Unfortunately my barnet is the wrong shape.

Wal mart has a nice tilley knock off. I bought one each in khaki and olive drab. cket mesh panel near the top of crown, foam brim. The tag said ten dollars but they were five at checkout. They've done well so far, I don't like the chin strap assembly which is just like tilley.

Lots of good options.

As far as "style" goes, I am not looking for "dressed up" style. I am not looking for a sun hat with flaps that drop down around the sides and back for extreme sun protection. I already have several and they do a good job when needed.

Many of your suggestions seem to fit the requirements. Now I need to find a store that stocks them so I can check them out.

The Tilleys look good. The Outdoor Research Ghost with the removable crown for rain looks practical, effective in rain, lots of mesh area for ventilation in hot conditions.

I never looked into all of the Tilley models and I must say, the TW2 is quite intriguing for colder weather. I am seeing one in my near future.

Thanks for all the suggestions. As always, any input is most appreciated.

Craig T.

Have you tried it with the chin strap tucked up into the hat and the back strap set up like a state trooper smokey bear hat? It works well unless it is VERY windy like in a moving open boat.

1 more chipping in -- with a T6 and an LT3. The only problem with the T6 is the lighter colour that keeps the sweat stain no matter what I do with it. I am looking at a darker version.